Styrian People's Party postpones party conference out of respect for victims

Styrian People's Party postpones party conference out of respect for victims

On June 10, 2025, the Styrian People's Party announced that its planned extraordinary state party conference, which was scheduled for June 14 in the Premstätten Hall, would be postponed. The reason for this decision is tragic events that recently occurred in the region. Manuela Khom, the executive state party leader and deputy state governor, expressed her sympathy for the victims and their families. A new date for the state party conference will be announced by the state party in good time to take the people affected into account. This is reported by OTS.

Just a few weeks earlier, on May 18, 2025, the Styrian People's Party celebrated its 80th anniversary. The party was founded on May 18, 1945 in the convent building of the Cross Sisters in Graz. In honor of this anniversary, a celebratory service was held on the founding day, which was also attended by former state governors and vice-chancellors. During the celebration, Manuela Khom emphasized the values ​​of stability and responsibility that have characterized the party since its founding. A large family festival will also be organized in late summer to celebrate the anniversary and to honor the successes and history of the Styrian People's Party. During the anniversary week, the party's history will be increasingly discussed on various digital channels, especially on social media. The website stvp.at offers a journey through time through the 80 years of the Styrian People's Party and describes the historical milestones.

Historical roots and leaders

The Styrian People's Party represented key figures in Styrian state politics in the post-war period. She served as state governor for a total of 69 years. Anton Pirchegger was the first democratically elected governor of Styria after the war from 1945 to 1948. Other important state governors were Josef Krainer senior (1948-1971), Friedrich Niederl (1971-1980), Josef Krainer junior (1980-1996), Waltraud Klasnic (1996-2005), Hermann Schützenhöfer (2015-2022) and Christopher Drexler (2022-2024). With Manuela Khom, who has led the party's fortunes since December 2024, the People's Party is relying on familiar values ​​in a constantly changing political landscape.

The founding of the Styrian People's Party came one month after the founding of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), which was launched on April 17, 1945. In the following years, the ÖVP emerged as a significant political force in Austria and united a wide range of positions. In the past, the ÖVP often represented the Federal Chancellor and had a significant influence on Austrian politics.

The successes and challenges of the Styrian People's Party are closely linked to the history of the ÖVP, which has its roots in the Christian Social Party. This was founded in the early 1890s and was active until the authoritarian corporate state was established. After the Second World War, the ÖVP regrouped and won the first National Council election in 1945, laying the foundation for a long political tradition.

The Styrian People's Party and its history are a reflection of political developments in Austria since the Second World War. It stands for stability and responsibility and will continue to play a central role in Styrian and Austrian politics in the future, as can be read on Wikipedia.